'Person of interest' in Coronado murder in court today on drug charges

Friday, March 25, 2016
'Person of interest' in murder of teen girl, father faces judge
'Person of interest' in murder of teen girl, father faces judgeA man whose home was searched in connection with the murder of a 14-year-old west Houston girl and her father is facing a judge for the first time.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Investigators won't say if the men accused of a drug trafficking plot had anything to do with the murders of a teenage Houston-area girl and her father.

But they do tell us Jose Solis, 34, and Ramon Sanchez are persons of interest who they wanted to question.

A "person of interest" in the Coronado murders is scheduled to be in court today on drug charges
A "person of interest" in the Coronado murders heads to court on drug charges

Solis, shackled at both the ankles and wrists, appeared before a federal judge Friday morning in Houston. Federal court documents allege that Solis and Sanchez were involved in a plot to rip off 16 kilograms of cocaine being trafficked into the U.S. from Mexico. The drugs were to travel through Laredo, by commercial bus, to Houston. The cocaine was to be in a suitcase loaded into the cargo area of the bus and someone was to steal the luggage when the bus made a stop in San Antonio. A confidential informant working with federal agents tipped them to the drugs coming in and they were able to intercept the load at the Tornado bus terminal in Laredo before it ever left.

PHOTOS: SWAT scene connected to Amber Alert murders

Law enforcement officers responding to a SWAT scene concerning the recent Amber Alert murders
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The family of Adriana Coronado says they are relieved by the arrest

ABC13 was the only TV station there when authorities swarmed Solis' home on Aberdeen in Magnolia. Investigators executed a search warrant related to the murders of Adriana Coronado, and her father, Cesar Coronado. A woman and several children were taken away by authorities.

Investigators will not detail yet any connection between Solis or Sanchez and the murders 14-year-old Adriana Coronado and her father, Caesar Coronado. They will not say either if Caesar Coronado had anything to do with the drug theft plot or if he was an informant for investigators.

Walker County sheriff's investigators believe Coronado, a Mayde Creek High student, witnessed the murder of her father before she was killed. His burned body was discovered in a rural part of Walker county. His truck was found burned in Conroe. Adriana Coronado's body was found in a field in west Houston. Both had been shot to death.

Medical Examiner: Katy teen died from gunshot wounds

Family, friends gather to remember Katy teen and father, Deborah Wrigley reports.

Solis is due back in court next week. If convicted of the federal drug charges he could be sent to prison for life.

Deputies near the area where they found a pickup truck that may be connected to the killing of Caesar Coronado.

Adriana Coronado was a student at Mayde Creek High School.

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